The main responsibilities of the best man

One of the most important wedding planning duties a groom has is to pick his best man. This, of course, is the person that’s going to stand by the groom when he takes the plunge into married life. But aside from supporting the husband-to-be, what is a best man supposed to do? I’m here to help you and your almost married best friend get everything checked off your list before the wedding.

Plan the bachelor party
The is one of the biggest responsibilities of the best man. The first step to planning this event is to choose a unique activity to center the party around. From renting jet skis, to spending the day golfing, to going paintballing or heading to the casino for a night out on the town, the possibilities are endless. But whatever you do, it’s important to cater to the groom’s personality and interests. Just because you want to go fly fishing doesn’t mean that he will want to.

Help choose tuxedos or suits
Just like in the movie “I Love You Man,” when Sydney goes with Peter to help him pick out and get fitted for a suit for the big day, best men are expected to help the groom choose his tux. You’ll also be responsible for picking up the tab for your own suit and making sure that you and the other groomsmen show up to get fitted.

Organize a groomsmen’s gift
The best man should be in charge of getting a gift for the groom on behalf of all of his groomsmen. Whether it’s a flask, a new watch, that movie he’s been dying to see or a surprise guys trip, this can be presented at the bachelor party.

Attend the rehearsal dinner
Much like the rest of the bridal party, the best man is expected to attend the rehearsal dinner. It’s typically held at a restaurant and while you’re welcome to make a toast, definitely hold off on the big speech until the day of the wedding.

Offer encouragement before the ceremony
On the morning of the special day, build up the groom with encouragement. It’s best to avoid questions like, “Are you sure you want to do this?” because that’s not helping anyone. Make sure your best guy has whatever he needs, like the marriage license, luggage for the honeymoon, passports etc.

Hold onto the ring
Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities the best man has is to hold onto the rings. If they get lost, someone’s in trouble. Keep them safe and sound in your pocket and fish them out at the appropriate moment during the ceremony.